Abstract
The garpike Belone belone enters the Wadden Sea in April, to spawn in May and June. The large eggs (3mm) bear numerous, long hair-like filaments. Embryonic and larval development were investigated during rearing experiments in 1970 and 1971. The development of the embryo is described, with special reference to the circulatory system and “Kupffer's vesicles”. The embryos display ventilation with pectoral fins and gill opercula when still in the egg. They hatch after 2 or 3 weeks at 20° and 16°C, respectively. Newly hatched larvae accept a wide variety of prey, including dry, aquarium fish food. Growth, feeding behaviour, swimming performance, and survival of the juveniles were investigated in the laboratory and in a small outdoor pond. Young garpikes (1 to 3 cm standard length) survive at temperatures ranging from 13° to 25°C, and salinities from 7 to 50%. They may reach 12 to 15 cm in their first summer. Their cruising speed is estimated to be 1 to 2 body lengths/sec. Garpikes disappear from The Wadden Sea in October, and probably migrate offshore. Observations on the behaviour of adults (40 to 70 cm total length) in a large indoor tank, indicate that they avoid high light intensities in winter. Adults display panic reactions when the water temperature drops below 6° to 7°C; this indicates that garpikes probably migrate in winter to greater depth (lower light intensity), to avoid water temperatures below 6°C and rough weather conditions in the upper water layers.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Alderdice, D. F. and F. P. J. Velsen: Some effects of salinity and temperature on early development of Pacific herring. J. Fish. Bes. Bd Can. 28, 1545–1562 (1971)
Benecke, B.: Fische, Fischerei und Fischzucht in Ost-und Westpreußen, 514 pp. Königsberg: Hartungsche Verlagsdrukkerei 1886
Bloch, M. E.: Oeconomische Naturgeschichte der Fische Deutschlands, 258 pp. Berlin: Hesse 1782
Borcea, I.: Observations sur la circulation embryonnaire chez les téléostéens. Annls scient. Univ. Jassy 6, 84–100 (1909).
Borne, M.: Handbuch der Fischzucht und der Fischerei, 581 Abb., 701 pp. Berlin: Parey 1886
Collette, B. B. and N. V. Parin: Needlefishes (Belonidae) of the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. Atlantide Rep. 11, 7–60 (1970)
Couch, I.: A history of the fishes of the British Islands, Vol. 4. 439 pp. London: G. Bells & Sons 1877
Cunningham, J. T.: The eggs and larvae of teleosteans. Trans. R. Soc. Edinb. 33, 110–111 (1886)
Dobben, W. H. van: Über den Kiefermechanismus der Knochenfische. Archs néerl. Zool. 2, 1–72 (1937)
Ehrenbaum, E.: Eier und Larven von Fischen der Deutschen Bucht. III. Fische mit festsitzenden Eiern. Wiss. Meeresunters. (Abt. Helgoland), 6, 127–200 (1904).
— Naturgeschichte und wirtschaftliche Bedeutung der Seefische Nordeuropas, 337 pp. Stuttgart: Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung 1936
Fonds, M.: Remarks on the rearing of gobies (Pomatoschistus minutus and P. lozanoi) for experimental purposes. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 20, 620–628 (1970)
Fries, B., C. U. Ekström and C. Sundevall: A history of Scandinavian fishes, 2nd ed. 566 pp. Stockholm: Norstedt, Berlin: Friedländer 1893.
Gabriel, M. L.: Factors affecting the number and form of vertebrae in Fundulus heteroclitus. J. exp. Zool. 95, 105–147 (1944)
Gregory, E.: Die Kupffer'sche Blase bei der Forelle (Trutta fario). Festschr. zum 70. Geburtstag von C. v. Kupffer, 783 pp. Jena: 1899.
Haeckel, E.: Über die Eier der Scomberesoces. Arch. Anat. Physiol. 1855, 23–31 (1855).
Hamdorf, K.: Die Beeinflussung der Embryonal-und Larvalentwicklung der Regenbogenforelle (Salmo irideus, Gibb) durch die Umweltfaktore O2-Partialdruck und Temperatur. Z. vergl. Physiol. 44, 523–549 (1961).
Harder, W.: Die Entwicklung der Respirationsorgane beim Hering. Z. Anat. Entw. Gesch. 118, 102–123 (1954).
Hisaoka, K. K. and C.F. Firlit: Further studies on the embryonic development of the zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio (Hamilton-Buchanan). J. Morph. 107, 205–226 (1960).
Ishida, J.: Further studies on the hatching enzyme of the fresh-water fish, Oryzias latipes. Annotnes zool. jap. 22, 155–164 (1944).
Iwai, T.: Studies on the Plecoglossus altivelis problems: embryology and histophysiology of digestive and osmoregulatory organs. Bull. Misaki mar. biol. Inst. 2, 1–101 (1962).
Kopsch, F.: Homologie und phylogenetische Bedeutung der Kupferschen Blase. Anat. Anz. 17, 497–509 (1900).
— Die Entstehung des Dottersackentoblasts und die Forschung bei Belone acus. Int. Mschr. Anat. Physiol. 18, 43–65 (1901).
Kroyer, H.: Danmarks fiske, Bd. 3. 704 pp. Kopenhaven: Triers officil 1853
Kryzanowsky, S. G.: Die Atmungsorgane der Fischlarven (Teleostomi), Zool. Jb. (Abt.Anat. Ontog. Tiere) 58, 21–60 (1934).
Kunz, Y.: Morphologische Studien über die embryonale und postembryonale Entwicklung bei Teleostiern mit besonderer Berücksichtigung des Dottersystems und der Leber. Revue suisse Zool. 71, 445–525 (1964).
Kupffer, C.: Beobachtungen über die Entwicklung der Knochenfische. Arch. mikrosk. Anat. EntwMech. 4, 209–272 (1868).
— Die Entwicklung des Herings im Ei. Jber. Komm. wiss. Unters. dt. Meere, Kiel 1874-1876, 175–226 (1878).
Lagarde, E.: Utilisation des antibiotiques dans la réalisation des cultures de foraminifères sons faible volume. I. Etude de l'action des antibiotiques sur le microflores heterotrophes marines. Vie Milieu 18A, 27–35 (1967).
Lilljeborg, W.: Sveriges och Norges Fauna, Vol. 2. 788 pp. Uppsala: Schulz 1891.
List, J. H.: Zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der Knochenfische (Labriden). Z. wiss. Zool. 45, 595–645 (1887).
Magnus, D. B. E.: Zur Deutung der Igelstellung beim Jungfisch-Schwarm des Korallenwelses, Plotosus anguillares (Bloch) (Pisces, Nematognathi,Plotosidae), im Biotop. Zool. Anz. (Suppl. Bd) 31, 402–409 (1968).
Mahon, E. F. and W. S. Hoar: The early development of the chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum). J. Morph. 98, 1–30 (1956).
Nelson, E.: An adaption for snapping in belonid fishes. Am. Zool. 1, 464–465 (1961).
Nikolsky, G. W.: Spezielle Fischkunde, 632 pp. Berlin: Deutscher Verlag der Wissenschaften 1957.
Nordahl, J. R.: The development and morphology of Kupffer's vesicle in the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa (L.) and in the cod, Gadus morhua L. Sarsia 42, 41–62 (1970).
Oppenheimer, C. H.: The effect of marine bacteria in the development and hatching of pelagic fish eggs, and the control of such bacteria by antibiotics. Copeia 1955, 43–49 (1955).
Orsi, J. J.: The embryology of the English sole, Parophrys vetulus. Calif. Fish Game 54, 133–155 (1968).
Portmann, A.: Die ersten Stadien des Blukreislaufs bei Teleostierembryonen und die Ausbildung der Dottersackzirkulation. Verh. naturf. Ges. Basel 38, 416–426 (1927).
Poy, A.: Über das Verhalten der Laryen von Knochenfischen beim Ausschlüpfen aus dem Ei. Ber. dt. wiss. Kommn Meeresforsch. 21, 377–392 (1970).
Price, J. W.: Embryology of the white fish Coregonus clupeaformis (Mitchell). Ohio J. Sci. 34, 287–305, 399–414 (1934).
Rosenthal, H.: Leaving the egg shell. A film on the hatching of herring larvae. In: C.M. (Council Meeting) I.C.E.S. (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) Section Herring Committee 3, 1–3 (1966). (Mimeo).
— Anfütterung und Wachstum der Larven und Jungfische des Hornhechtes Belone belone. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 21, 320–332 (1970).
— and G.-A. Paffenhöfer: On the digestion rate and calorific content of food and feece in young garfish. Naturwissenschaften 59, 274–275 (1972).
Ryder, J. A.: Development of the silver gar (Belone longirostris), with observations on the genesis of the blood in embryo fishes, and a comparison of fish ova with those of other vertebrates. Bull. U.S. Fish Commn 1, 283–301 (1882).
Shelbourne, J. E.: A marine fish-rearing experiment using antibiotics. Nature, Lond. 198, 74–75 (1963).
Sobotta, J.: Zur Entwicklung von Belone acus. Verh. anat. Ges., Berlin 1896, 93–96 (1896).
— Die morphologische Bedeutung der Kupffer'schen Blase. Ein Beitrag zur Gastrulation der Teleostier. Verh. phys. med. Ges. Würzb. (N.F.) 32, 111–127 (1898).
Soin, S. G.: Development types of structure and phylogenesis of the vascular system of the vitelline sac in fish embryos, performing respiratory function. [Russ., Engl. Summary].. Zool. Zh. 45, 1382–1397 (1966).
Tavolga, W. N.: Embryonic development of the platyfish (Platy pozcelius) the swordtail (Xiphophorus) and their hybrids. Bull.Am. Mus. nat. Hist. 94, 165–229 (1949).
Yarrel, W.: A history of British fishes, Vol. 1. 675 pp. London: John van Voorst 1859.
Ziegenhagen, H.: Über die Entwicklung der Circulation bei Teleostiern, insbesondere bei Belone. Verh. anat. Ges., Berlin 1896, 100–108 (1896).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by O. Kinne, Hamburg
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rosenthal, H., Fonds, M. Biological observations during rearing experiments with the garfish Belone belone . Marine Biology 21, 203–218 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00355251
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00355251